In Memory of

Gerald

W

Soucy

Sr.

Obituary for Gerald W Soucy Sr.

Surrounded by his children who adored him, Gerald W. Soucy, Sr., 89, of Auburn died at his home and returned home to Our Lord and to be reunited with the love of his life Dorise on Thursday, August 30, 2018 after a long illness. He died on the same day as his beloved Dorise did in 2012 writing the final chapter of a beautiful love story.
Born in New Britain CT, on January 12, 1929 Gerry was one of eight children of the late William and Alice (Robarge) Soucy. He moved to Worcester as a very young child where he resided until 1985 when he moved to Auburn.

As a teenager he joined the United States Army to serve his country. He proudly served as a Corporal in D troop, 16 Constabulary (Sep) Berlin, Germany from 1948 to 1952. His platoon participated in the Berlin Airlift which he spoke of proudly and in great detail until the time of his death. Talking to him about it was like reading a history book. It was in Germany that he met his “best friend for life” Richard Harris. He and Richard became fast buddies and remained devoted to each other to this day. He was a proud American and a true patriot who served proudly and by choice and was part of the greatest generation. He honored his country in every way possible and had no room in his world for people who did not respect their country, its flag and what it stood for.

Upon his return to the States, he married the sweetheart he left behind and the love of his life, M. Dorise Collette on April 19, 1952. They shared 61 wonderful years together and raised five children before her death in 2012. They were a match made in heaven and a true love story. You rarely saw one without the other, they always held hands and they could finish each other’s sentences. Theirs was a love story for better or worse and in the course of raising their five children they experienced both. Gerry began working at Wyman-Gordon Company in Grafton in 1952 retiring in 1991. While raising a young family, he often worked two or three jobs at one time but always found time to be at all of his children’s activities. He was a coach, a Scout leader and above all an all-around wonderful hands on dad whose focus in life was his family. He was our Superhero. After his retirement Gerry took up golfing and golfed in the Worcester Elks Tuesday league and rekindled his love for fishing by fishing with his brother Bob in New Hampshire as often as possible. He loved all things sports particularly boxing, the Patriots the Red Sox and secretly his New York Giants were his favorite team. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Depending on who was talking to him, he was dad, pep, big pep, Bubba, Jasper and wise guy. His kids were his world and brought him tremendous pride and joy. He thought the only thing better than being “daddy” was being “Pep” to his grandchildren and “Big Pep” to his great grandchildren. He had a very special personal relationship, handshake or joke with each of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was a member of the United Steelworkers of America, Local 2285; Chester Tuttle American Legion Post in Auburn; the Auburn/Webster Lodge of Elks; The Worcester Elks Tuesday Golf league, the VFW; the DAV and the US Constabulary Association.

He is survived by his five children, Linda with whom he lived; Carol and her husband Walter Miller; Gerry Jr and his wife Patricia; David and his wife Mary Beth; and Paul and his wife Donna. He was “Pep” to nine beloved grandchildren. Amy Descarreaux and her husband Randy; Paul W Soucy; Gerald Soucy, III and his wife Kayla; Nicole and her husband Scott Almstrom; Elaina and her husband David McDonnell; Brian and Erica Soucy; Lori Connolly and Steven Miller. He was beyond ecstatic to be “Big Pep” to nine great grandchildren; Jacob Baxter; Nicholas and Mia Descarreaux; Maggie and Tommy McDonnell; Ryan and Hazel Soucy; and Meghan and Emily Connolly. He leaves two brothers, William Soucy of Webster and Robert Soucy of Worcester and one sister, Monica Sobolewski of Providence, RI, his beloved in-laws and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife of 61 years, M. Dorise (Collette) Soucy; his parents William and Alice Soucy; his sisters Joan Granat; Florianne Shevchuck and Dolores Lessard and his brother Leon Soucy. It is often said that anyone can be a father but it takes someone special to be a dad. We are proud to say we had the greatest of dads. When someone is sick such as Gerry was it takes a village to care for him and keep him safe. His children, daughters in law and son in law would like to offer thanks to all who were members of our village. We offer special thanks to our Hospice Nurse Michelle Bowles who so gently and skillfully cared for him and tended to his every need. Our fathers last weeks were made so much better by Pearl and her staff. “Gerry’s Angels” Rita and Semera cared for him as if he was their own father. He came to adore and depend on them and they loved him. Their relationship was something very special to witness.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours for Gerald on Monday, September 3, 2018 between the hours of 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM in the Chapel of the BRITTON-WALLACE FUNERAL HOME, 91 Central Street, Auburn. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday at 10:00 AM at St. Joseph’s Church, 189 Oxford Street N, Auburn (Please kindly go directly to the church). Burial will follow in Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester.

Affiliations


American

Army